• Tick tock. Tick tock.
    George glanced down at his wristwatch nervously. 9:48pm. It was almost time for the train to arrive. He pulled his long grey cloak more firmly around his thin old body with one hand while stopping his hat from flying off with his other.
    Whoosh.
    The trees rustled in the wind behind him. It was pitch dark all around except for the little light a solitary lamp post gave off near where he was standing. Apart from him, the platform was deserted.
    Toowoot!
    He heard the train whistle and then he noticed the rails vibrating.
    Klack klack klack.
    Two bright and glaring lights came round a bend and started approaching at great speed. Then the train slowed down and finally came to a stop with a huge huff.
    George got on the train and showed the conductor his ticket, then he took a seat in one of the empty compartments. Strangely, he didn't see anyone else at all.
    He picked up a paper that was on the seat next to him. "The Time Thief strikes again" read the front page headlines.
    "So, they still haven't caught the old bloke who goes around stealing people's watches," muttered George to himself, and put the paper back down.
    Tap tap tap.
    He heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The footsteps got closer and then stopped outside his compartment. George could just make out the shadow of a tall man before the door swung open.
    Bang.
    In came a big man dressed all in black and with a very grim look on his face. Then he opened his black coat to reveal watches of all shapes and sizes.
    "Ah," said George. "Good haul today, John. Look, you're making headlines."
    And then he grinned.